Every transfer window when Moussa goes away with the French squad he’s interviewed by the French media and every time they get him talking about possibly leaving Newcastle and every time he mentions he wants to play in the Champions League.
It’s been no different this time around for the 26 year-old French International and he’s had a long interview with French TV cable channel Canal+ and yes – he’s said he wants to play for a Champions League club.
Moussa Sissoko in French colors
But Sissoko has also said he could even leave Newcastle in the January transfer window.
We have to bear in mind these are provocative questions being put to Sissoko, but he could do a lot better at the way he answers some of them.
He was asked if he could be leaving Newcastle in January:
“Many things can happen. I leave my uncle, who’s my agent, to deal with all that. I’m just trying to do my best this season with Newcastle.”
That’s a good last sentence but he should have said no to the question, and that’s because he knows it’s not in his best interests to leave Newcastle with the Euro 2016 Championships taking place in France next summer.
If he did leave Newcastle for a bigger club he could find himself on the bench as Yohan Cabaye did over 18 months ago at PSG and Mathieu Debuchy has found at Arsenal.
In fact, Debuchy has been left out of the French squad this time around and unless he can regain his Arsenal place he will not be in the French squad for the Euros next summer in his home country.
French manager Didier Deschamps hs made it very clear that a player must be playing first team football regularly to make the French squad.
So given that background on how things stand at Newcastle at the moment – we are bottom of the league and 6 points from safety – Moussa is testing the patience of people like head coach Steve McClaren, who are currently under great pressure at the club
Moussa should be showing more loyalty to Newcastle United, and he comes across as only caring about himself.
That’s one of the problems we have at the moment at Newcastle.
Comments welcome.
18 comments so far
Jib
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:19 AM
Comment #1I’ve seen the interview (I saw it live )
Provocative meh
Ive seen John Craven be more provocative on Countryfile.
It’s obvious from the interview that the French media are still intrigued by Newcastles strong French link and because MS is our only current French international they have to interview him , when they would much rather interview Thauvin or Gouffran .
Truth be told old Moussa is a bit of a boring bastard..
nut meg
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Comment #2Find a buyer for him & replace him with someone to fill a position that needs strengthening…… and plenty badly need it.He won’t be missed.
Blackley and Brownlie
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:28 AM
Comment #3I recall a host of fans on here delighted that Makro and Costco had the players training with the ball. A welcome change of method from Pardew’s I was told. When I warned that the players needed to run until they were literally sick in order to compete in terms of fitness with other clubs, one wag called me a dinosaur. Well so much for all the ball work. It doesn’t seem to stop us collapsing or to help us see games out. It hasn’t instilled the principles of regimental discipline and honest hard graft.
Blofal
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:30 AM
Comment #4Fine send him to Arsenal in January.
Swap him for Debuchy and play him at RB – then push Janmaat up to Right Midfield. Then bring in Willems and another CB.
———————Krul
Debuchy – Mbemba – New CB – Willems
Janmaat – Wijnaldum – Colback – Thauvin (or Aarons)
—————Perez – Mitrovic
If that doesn’t get us out of relegation then just start supporting Gateshead.
jayphoto
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Comment #5French press don’t even understand why Moussa gets in every squad. His inclusion has been pretty widely criticised.
In my opinion he is a long way from a champions league player. For the position he has played for 80% of his nufc career (#10) his productivity is absolutely woeful.
His technical skills, simple passing and ball retention for me don’t cut it as a top 8 PL player and his defensive skills, basic tackling etc are poor. On the ball he can be strong but off the ball when he is trying to tackle he plays like he is 150lbs and 5″6.
Ironically I think he would suit a crystal palace style side who sit very deep and play on the counter.
His physique, occasional forceful runs etc mask his ineffectiveness throughout a game.
Blackley and Brownlie
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #6Ironically, the fitter you are in lungs and muscle, the better you are with the ball. It shows in the later stages of games. I wouldn’t take any lessons on pre-season preparation from Newcastle United, never mind blow smoke up McClaren’s arse as some people were doing, for his modern methods.
lochinvar
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #7It’s no different to England Rugby who don’t pick players in France because they are trying to protect their own domestic English league set up. It’s the reverse process and a very French perspective – the French want French players in France ( eg PSG ) available for French National teams.
And I thought we all in Europe together and that Restrictive Trade Practices were illegal – how wrong can I be.
Never mind the Mackems think Fat Sam is the man for them but he doesn’t want to join them or is playing hard to get. What a bitch .
jayphoto
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #8Going to probably get criticised for this but I feel a good defensive midfielder is more crucial for us in January than a centre back.
Anita and colback don’t give the back 4 enough protection and leave the defence exposed. They are both decent players but for me, if we keep persisting with a 4-2-3-1 then either needs to be paired with a midfield destroyer.
lesh
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:47 AM
Comment #9It’s clear that Sissoko’s ambition lies beyond what we can offer him and he really should go – his heart’s not with Newcastle United.
But, it’s when does he go and maybe we should think of keeping him in January given the state of the squad – better the devil you know etc – and bring in his successor then.
If his successor cuts the mustard, then Sissoko’s shipped out in the summer along with the others who aren’t up to the job.
Jib
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:48 AM
Comment #10Why would Sam who must be financially set up for the rest of his life want to go through a relegation fighting scenario again ?
He pulled West Ham right out of the mire and got dog’s abuse for his trouble.
Blackley and Brownlie
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Comment #11Jayphoto
Did you see Man City’s goals? Did you see what Colo was doing and do you know what he should have been doing? Even the one when Mbabu fails to step up. The captain and lead CB needs to make sure he takes the rookie with him when he steps up.
toon kk
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:52 AM
Comment #12I’m sure most of our players have higher ambitions than Newcastle, but they have to prove their capable. So far most have shown us they should not be playing in the premier league.
Jib
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Comment #13Blackley
If you cannot see that the first half performances against Chelsea and Man City were the best football NUFC has played for 18 months , there is no hope for you my friend .
You should give your season ticket to someone who understands what he is watching.
toon kk
Oct 6, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #14Blackley
Colo usually turns his back and moves out of the way, frightened he gets hurt.
Blackley and Brownlie
Oct 6, 2015 at 11:01 AM
Comment #15JIB
Have you heard yourself? My point concerns the importance of physical fitness to compete at any level of football never mind the EPL.
So you reply, “If you cannot see that the first half performances against Chelsea and Man City were the best football NUFC has played for 18 months , there is no hope for you my friend .”
You prove my point and you don’t see it. Let me spell it out. “The first half performance.” Games last 90 minutes not 45 minutes.
BeeGuy
Oct 6, 2015 at 11:29 AM
Comment #16If one has the skills and speed, it is actually easier to play tight to your mark than chase back into position. ManCity showed that, every player was in position to receive the next pass, either from a teammate or from a panic struck Magpie.
Lynxie
Oct 6, 2015 at 1:02 PM
Comment #17Already this season, Colo has been found wanting. The first Watford goal is a point in case. Dropping off Deeney when the ball was still 60 feet in the air was pure theatrical cowardice. A simple challenge from our ‘captain’ (don’t make me laugh) and that goal would not have resulted. Hiding behind another player in case the ball hits him, was something you expect from a 5 year old. The ball is not made of concrete, put yourself on the line, take one for the team, defend as if it means something. Either that or hand over the armband to someone who gives a monkeys. Janmaat / Mbemba / Wijnaldum etc, players who LEAD BY EXAMPLE.
NYMAG
Oct 6, 2015 at 8:07 PM
Comment #18I’d drop Sissoko not for the comments but because of his poor form, it might force him to raise his game. He’s coasting by at the moment and consistently one of our worst performers when he should be one of our marquee players. Would also be fine with him leaving for decent money in January window.